Fibroadenomas-- Lumpectomy or mastectomy?

beckers29

I'm 29 years old and I have two lumps in my right breast. One of these is approximately 5cm in diameter, while the other one is about 2.5cm. The larger mass had a core biopsy to confirm that it's a fibroadenoma, the smaller one is more recent and has only had an ultrasound with the diagnosis of "probably benign". The smaller one has been growing though, so I've been referred to a breast surgeon. The larger one is on the "top" of my breast, while the smaller one is on the underside of my breast. I think I also found a new one last night in my left breast, but it's hard and flat and feels totally different, so until my doctor's appointment I'm just going to pretend it doesn't exist!

What freaks me out is not knowing what is likely to happen. If I get lumpectomies performed, probably around 30-40% of the tissue in my right breast would be removed. If that happens, wouldn't it be obvious and disfiguring with reconstructive surgery? Plus, fibroadenomas could keep forming in the remaining tissue-- so is a mastectomy recommended in that situation then?

If anyone has experience with this sort of thing, I'd really appreciate some knowledge about how this sort of situation is dealt with! Thanks in advance!

Kraschello88

I have a large adenoma and will have surgery late October to remove it. My doctor has informed me that adenomas do not attach to the tissue and typically remain isolated. (Instead the adenoma pushes the tissue away so it can grow) She has informed me that because of its size I may be left with a slight puckering below my left breast but she doesn't forsee it being disfiguring. A mastectomy is definitely not something I would consider unless I was at a high-risk for breast cancer. I would reccomend having the adenomas biopsied and would also suggest genetic testing to see if you carry the BRCA gene. I had mine biopsied and I recieved genetic testing. Luckily I do not carry the BRCA gene so my risk is only at 33%. If I had carried the gene I would've considered the double mastectomy. I think your first step is to recieve all the possible testing you can to educate yourself. Before you make any decisions you definitely want to know what's going on. If it makes you feel any better, I found out I had a tumor 1 week after my 30th birthday. Best of luck to you!

beckers29

Thank you so much Kraschello for your response and insights!!! I really appreciate it. I have my appointment with the breast surgeon tomorrow, so now I have better questions and thoughts given your post. Thank you so much and I hope your surgery goes super smoothly

ChiSandy

Just a little correction in terminology: EVERYONE "carries the BRCA gene." It's the mutations to that gene that are what genetic testing is for; and if you carry the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 mutations your risk of breast and related cancers is greatly elevated.